Iranian Prosecutor Vows To Catch And Execute Bombers

The aftermath of one of the bombings in Ahvaz yesterday
13 June 2005 -- Iran's top prosecutor said today those responsible for yesterday's bombings that left at least 10 people dead and some 75 others wounded would be found and executed.

Prosecutor Said Mortazavi called the bombers "enemies of God."

Eight people were reported killed and more than 70 others injured yesterday in four bombings targeting government buildings in Ahvaz, capital of the western Khuzestan Province bordering Iraq.

Two people were killed later when a blast struck in east Tehran.

The bombings came just days before Iran holds a presidential election.

An Iranian Arab group headquartered in London, the Popular Democratic Front of Ahwazi, claimed responsibility for the attacks. But the group later issued a statement that denied any role in the attacks.

Meanwhile, the favorite in that election, Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, today accused his opponents of using dirty tricks against him in campaigning.

Rafsanjani said he was the victim of "the worst kind of denigration" from millions of leaflets distributed around the country alleging he was corrupt and accusing him and his family of immoral behavior.